Intro To Biology And Cell Membrane Flashcards
(35 cards)
Biology
Study of life
Histology
-Science of microscopic organisms structure and function
-organization of tissues and organs
Cytology
Study of cell structure and function
What is the cell membrane/plasma membrane?
It is the outer boundary that envelopes all cells to limit the entrance of particles into the cell
Can we view the cell membrane with the LM? why? how?
No, we can not we can not view it with a light microscope because it is very thin
How does the cell membrane appear with an electron microscope?
It appears as 3 layers (trilaminar)
-outer electron layers appear dense (black)
-Central electron layer appears lucent (pale)
What is a cell membrane formed of?
It is formed by two layers of lipids (bilayer) with proteins and carbohydrates
What are the layers of bilayer lipids formed of?
Mainly of phospholipids and cholesterol
What does each phospholipid molecule consist of?
Each consists of a peripheral hydrophilic end (head), and a hydrophobic end (tail)
What does hydrophilic and hydrophobic mean?
- water-loving
- water-hating
What are proteins in the cell membrane made of?
- integral (intrinsic) protein
- peripheral (extrinsic) protein
Integral (intrinsic)
extends across the whole lipid bilayer (the protein is completely visible)
Peripheral (extrinsic)
either on the inner or outer surface of the plasma membrane…due to cytoplasm (only tip inside cell membrane)
Carbohydrates
carbs are combined with integral proteins to make glycoproteins or with lipids to make glycolipids
What are the two main components that form the cell coat?
- glycoproteins
- glycolipids
Cell coat
covers the outer surface of the cell membrane
Why is there the trilaminar structure shown by EM with two different colours?
the dense black colour is due to the deposition of the stain on the hydrophilic layers of the lipid bilayer
cell junctions
-contact points between neighbouring cells
-epithelium and basal lamina
to stick cells together
where are cell junctions most abundant?
epithelium
5 most common types of cell junctions?
- Tight junctions
- Adherent junctions
- Desmosomes
- Hemidesmosomes
- Gap junctions
Tight junction (zonula occuldens)
-Gap between cells are very narrow (nothing can pass through)
-creates a barrier that seals off the body cavities
Example for gap junctions
endothelial cells lining the brain and spinal cord to separate blood from interstitial fluid
Endothelial cells
single layer that lines all blood vessels
-regulates exchange with bloodstream and surrounding tissues
Interstitial fluid
the fluid that fills spaces between cells